Original German WWII 98k 1939-Dated Bayonet by Alexander Coppel with US Soldier Custom “Sweetheart” Pin-Up Girl Plexiglass Grips & Scabbard
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Original Item: Only One Available. In 1935 the German military introduced the K98k bolt action rifle or Karabiner 98 Kurz, as a replacement for the older GEW98 or Gewehr 98. A new, shorter bayonet was designed to go along with the shortened rifle. The K98 bayonet was officially named Seitengewehr 84/98 III or SG 84/98 III. The bayonet was designed as a close combat sidearm that could be placed on the tip of a K98.
The total length of the K98 bayonet was 15.2 inches, far shorter than the 20 inch long GEW98 bayonet. The blade was also straighter in shape and the hand guard was omitted. The K98 bayonet was carried in a leather frog, or Seitengewehrtragetasche, on the left side on the equipment belt in combination with the shovel and its carrier. The maker marks on k98 bayonets were stamped onto the top of the blade. On the reverse the batch number and suffix were stamped.
This example had its grips replaced with the “sweetheart” grips which consist of plexiglass grip scales and pictures of their sweetheart on each side. Most commonly encountered on sidearms, Servicemen began to salvage plexiglass from downed aircrafts to replace the grips for their Colt M1911 pistols as well as fighting knives. The transparent quality allowed them to personalize the grips by inserting a picture of a loved one or pin-up girl underneath the plexiglass. The trend became known as “sweetheart grips.” This example however appears to have photos of one naked “pin-up girl” and one normal girl, likely the soldier’s girlfriend or wife. This would have been difficult to explain when he arrived home!
Model bayonet: Seitengewehr 84/98 III
Markings: Coppel G.m.b.H / 9143 a / 39 on spine
Material: Blued steel
Grip material: Plexiglass “Sweetheart” Grips
Condition is fair, with some of the original bluing missing from the blade near the tip, plexiglass grips intact and a non-functional locking button. We are unsure why it won’t press in, but it is likely an internal issue. The blade has some sharpening.
The scabbard and blade bear mismatching serial numbers, the scabbard being 2960. The pommel is Waffenamt marked and the blade ricasso is also marked with Coppel G.m.b.H, a top manufacturer of German edged weapons during WWII.
A very interesting captured 98K bayonet with some absolutely tremendous grips.
Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 15 1/4“
Crossguard: 1 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 10 1/2"
- This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
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